Why I Brought Back an Old Idea and Made It Permanent

Opt Out, Give Back: A Program Built on Impact, Not Trends

At some point during the pandemic, a lot of us in hospitality were forced to ask tougher questions about how we serve, who we serve, and what service actually means. One of the smarter, quieter shifts that happened was the option for guests to skip daily housekeeping. It made sense—less contact, less waste, more intention.

But as the industry “returned to normal,” many of those thoughtful changes disappeared.

At Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead, we decided to keep one—and make it mean more.

Introducing: Opt Out, Give Back.

The concept is simple:
If you're staying with us for two nights or more and opt out of daily housekeeping, you get 500 World of Hyatt points per night skipped. Meanwhile, a portion of our operational savings goes directly to Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit that supports food service workers in crisis here in Atlanta.

It’s a small choice with ripple effects:

• Guests feel empowered to travel more mindfully

• We reduce unnecessary waste

• And most importantly, we give back to an industry that gives so much of itself

Why it matters

This program isn’t a gimmick. It’s not a campaign that lives for a quarter and dies with the press release. It’s a sustainable practice rooted in what I call Impact Hospitality. That’s not just a title I’ve held—it’s a mindset I live by, and it shows up in everything I help build.

Because let’s be honest: meaningful change in hospitality doesn’t always look like reinvention. Sometimes, it’s just recognizing a good idea—and refusing to let it go when the moment passes.

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “It’s always the right time to do the right thing.”
That quote lives in the bones of this program. And it’s a reminder that the work we do in hotels—when done with intention—can go far beyond the lobby.

What’s next

This is just the start. I’m committed to continuing to build programs, spaces, and partnerships that turn hospitality into community. That’s where the real magic happens.

If you're ever staying at Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead, I invite you to opt out—and give back.

Until then, stay inspired and keep doing the right thing. Even when no one’s watching.